Udupi: A 20-year-old second-year Pre-University (PU) student has been reported missing from Katapady in Udupi district, police said on February 24.
The missing student has been identified as Deepa Suresh Lamani (20), a native of Basavana Bagewadi taluk in Vijayapura district. She was staying in a rented house at Anegudde in Katapady while pursuing her studies at a college in Udupi.
Left residence after taking leave
According to police sources, Deepa had taken leave from her college on February 20. She reportedly left her rented accommodation the same day but did not return thereafter. When she failed to come back and could not be contacted, her family members grew concerned and alerted the authorities.
Based on a complaint filed by her relatives, a missing person case has been registered at the Kaup Police Station. Police officials have initiated efforts to trace her whereabouts and are verifying possible leads.
Description and identification details
Deepa is described as being 5 feet 6 inches tall, with a brown complexion and a medium build. At the time she went missing, she was fluent in Kannada, Lambani and Hindi, which police believe may assist in gathering information from different regions if she has travelled outside the district.
Investigators are checking CCTV footage from nearby areas and speaking to her friends, classmates and neighbours to ascertain her movements on the day she disappeared. Police are also examining call records and other digital evidence as part of the inquiry.
Appeal for public assistance
Authorities have urged members of the public to come forward with any information that could help trace the missing student. Anyone who has seen Deepa or has details regarding her whereabouts is requested to immediately contact the Kaup Police Station or inform the nearest police station.
Missing person cases involving students often require swift action, and police have emphasised that early leads are crucial in locating individuals safely. Family members have appealed to the public to assist in bringing her back home.
Further investigation is under way, and police said updates will be shared as more information becomes available.